Respiratory Health
Tools for Possibilities: issue no. 68
Once a week we’ll send out a page from Cool Tools: A Catalog of Possibilities. The tools might be outdated or obsolete, and the links to them may or may not work. We present these vintage recommendations as is because the possibilities they inspire are new. Sign up here to get Tools for Possibilities a week early in your inbox.
Improved face mask
This is a new design of respirator which has advantages for mass distribution, emergency preparedness, and multi-ethnic populations. I’ve been using/testing it for 5 or 6 years in the Unorganized Borough in Alaska.
The respirator can be cut with scissors to fit faces properly. Because they are clear, fit is easily ascertained. A clear respirator may mean they are more acceptable culturally (the face is not hidden).
The filters are replaceable. They allow a lot of air to pass through so can be useful in bike riding and outdoor work. They also allow moisture to pass through; I haven’t found the exhaled moisture to be a problem except in subzero temperatures (quite a bit of condensation then).
Instead of storing respirators of every size, only one size needs to be stored for emergency use. One doesn’t need to check sizes before distributing the respirators. Respirators can be cleaned and re-used by the individual (replace filters). I have seen them be used for pandemics, volcanoes, dust, woodworking, and cycling, and I am hoping to continue testing them in Alaska where we have faces from many different populations. — Pamela Bumsted
Sensible worrying
All of the scary end-of-the world disasters to worry about, a global pandemic is the one you should really worry about. Because you can do something about it. Smaller pandemics are pretty much inevitable in our modern world, and even they will be a major disruption. This site is a prepper site dedicated to the unique challenges of preparing for a serious pandemic. Most of your life would be impacted: hygiene, travel, treatment, etc. These folks, backed by official preparedness plans, offer extensive tasks you can do to minimize impact. — KK
- Guidelines for Minimizing the Spread of Virus1. Set up a separate room after a pandemic starts, before anyone is sick.Remove all unneeded items from the room. This will make cleaning and disinfection easier. Consider removing curtains. If possible choose a room that isclose to its own bathroom. If no separate bathroom is possible, consider preparingfor an RV chemical toilet or other separate toilet.
Choose a room that is as far away from the rest of the family as is feasible. Possibilities include: guest house, mobile home/camper/trailer house, loft abovea garage, spare bedroom, partition of a larger room (to be screened off with plastic).
Laundry. Always put gloves on before handling any laundry – bedding, towels, clothing, etc. Carefully place laundry in a plastic bag until time to launder.Wash separately from other household laundry in warm water and detergent.
Drinks/Meals. Use disposable cups, bowls, plates and utensils to save cleanup time and reduce the chance of the virus spreading.
Real time flu news
Fluwiki Forum (Old Forum)
Influenza = Uncertainty. Rumors. Caution. Hysteria. Pandemic. No, wait, a media frenzy. Or maybe, serious medical worry. Where can you go to find out the latest?
The best source for the latest published news from around the world on the emerging flu viruses (and other viruses of human health concerns) is the Fluwiki Forum. This site was started for tracking the avian H5N1 virus, and is now trying to keep up with this latest outbreak, whatever it is. The in-depth and comprehensive background material on flu available on the Fluwiki itself is excellent ballast for the froth of “news.” — KK
Nasal irrigator
My brother-in-law introduced me to the neti pot, for nasal irrigation, about three years ago. He had had chronic sinus infections that have largely stopped since he started using it. Since I began using it, I’ve had fewer illnesses and just breathe easier. I used to take decongestants regularly in order to sleep soundly (due to mild allergies), but haven’t in the past three years, since the neti pot became part of my daily routine. My sinuses don’t dry out as much during winter anymore, and my wife says my snoring has decreased.
The neti pot flushes your sinuses of pollutants, allergens, pollen and dust that build up during the day. By flushing your sinuses you allow your nose to do its secondary job more effectively — keep the bad stuff out. It also has the added benefit of relieving sinus headaches and congestion. The interesting thing is, it’s been around for a long time (several thousand years) and is used by many yoga practitioners to ease breathing during meditation. Eight ounces of warm tap water and 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (with no iodine) is all it takes to wash the grime away, and that’s a lot cheaper than over-the-counter decongestants.
I recommend getting a neti pot with a pot belly look, like the Himalayan Institute one available from Amazon. I’ve tried two other brands/styles and they don’t provide as consistent water pressure through the nose. Currently I use my neti pot once a day, in the evenings, to wash the day’s grime away and help with sleeping.
Try it once or twice and you’ll agree your sinuses have rarely felt better or clearer. As a side note, if it burns a little, stop and add a tad more salt. Too little salt and the water won’t flow well through the nasal cavity. If you’ve had a broken nose, please check with your doctor to make sure your nasal cavity is still properly aligned for nasal irrigation. — Jeff Young
Cleanest air filter
Many of us live in environments or buildings where air quality is poor or downright unhealthy, and many airborne pollutants and allergens end up in in our lungs. Depending on your sensitivity, age and other factors, what you can’t see (bacteria, pet allergens, mold spores, dust, pollen, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), etc.) can hurt you. The smaller the particulate, the easier it can get into your lungs and cause problems.
I was introduced to the HealthPro Plus by my partner, who suffers from bad asthma and allergies. She had been using one for a couple of years and has come to depend on it to keep her bedroom in a breathable state. I got one for my place and immediately noticed the difference, from particulate in the air to the amount of dust collecting on surfaces. I had been using another mass market HEPA filter, but apparently it hadn’t been doing a thorough job at all (I live in an urban environment with rather poor air quality).
The control panel allows you to set a variety of settings and monitor filter life (which varies widely based on usage). There are 6 fan speed settings, from 40 cfm (cubic feet per minute) to a cranking 240 cfm. You can do the math and figure out how many times per hour the HealthPro Plus can cycle all of the air in the room. It’s surprisingly quiet at the lowest setting, and sounds a bit like an oncoming tornado at the top setting.
It is also worth noting that IQAir – a 45+ year old Swiss company – is very responsive, and that the unit comes with a 5 year warranty. I had a small issue with my power supply and I was able to call IQAir and reach someone who handled the return efficiently. They even FedEx’d me shipping materials and overnighted the unit back to me.
I can only point out two obvious downsides to the HealthPro Plus. One is that it’s expensive – it is more than twice the cost of most other high end systems on the market (though worth the money in my opinion), and replacement filters are also somewhat pricey. The second is that it is another large beige box in an age of too many beige boxes. Placing it aesthetically in the room while also allowing for maximum air exchange can take some finesse (there is also a compact model). If you’re interested in filtration for your whole house, IQAir makes air purification systems that connect to HVAC which are very well reviewed.
I did a bunch of research on air purification systems before buying one, and among everything I’ve seen the HealthPro Plus always came out on top.
01/8/24
